LYNN — The candidates for ward City Councilor met for their first television debate Monday, staking out positions they hope will sway voters.
Moderated by former Mayor Albert V. DiVirgilio, the Lynn Community Television debate focused on the city’s deficit, the need for new schools, public safety and the top complaints the candidates hear as they campaign.
The first question was what DiVirgilio called as a “softball” and asked candidates to describe their proudest accomplishment.
“Raising two wonderful children,” said William O’Shea, a Ward 1 candidate trying to unseat City Councilor Wayne Lozzi. “Coaching them in softball was a way to make lifetime friends.”
Gina O’Toole, who is running for the open seat in Ward 2 against Richard Starbard, said she’s proud of her two children.
“They’ve both grown into great adults,” she said. “They are college students, and my husband and I are empty nesters and celebrating our 25th anniversary.”
Starbard said while his accomplishments as a business owner and dedication to community service are important, he’s most proud of his two daughters, college graduates who have returned to Lynn.
Darren Cyr, the City Council president seeing reelection to his Ward 3 post, said he too was proud of his family, which includes a wife and two sons.
“I’m also proud of the fact that when I was a soccer coach, we went undefeated for three seasons,” he said. “As a City Councilor, I played a major role in the construction of the new Marshall Middle School, which is an amazing building and a model for middle schools in the state.”
His opponent, George Meimeteas, could not attend because of a previous commitment.
Ward 5 City Councilor Dianna Chakoutis, who is seeking re-election, said she’s proud of her husband, two children, and two grandchildren.
As for her work on the Council, she said, it can be thankless.
“But sometimes, when I’ve helped someone, and they call to thank me, it means a lot.”
Marven Hyppolite, who is trying to unseat Chakoutis, said he’s just 25 but proud of the fact that he realized his mother’s dream for him to get a college education.
“I’m also proud that I get to help constituents through my job in Congressman Seth Moulton’s office,” he said.
Lozzi said while it was difficult to single out one thing, he was especially proud of his son who built homes for the needy in Mexico.
The candidates agreed the biggest complaints they hear are about the condition of the city’s streets and sidewalks, overgrown trees, public safety, drugs, and the fewer police on the street.
On how to curb crime, Cyr said he favors more cameras on the street. He encouraged residents to say something if they see something.
“Fighting crime is not just up to the police,” he said.
Chakoutis said she has a camera on her home and holds monthly meetings for constituents to talk about what needs to be done in the ward.
Hyppolite said given the budget shortfall, the council needs to be creative. He encouraged job training programs as a way to cut crime and advocated for treatment of drug addicts.
“The problem cannot be arrested away,” he said.
Lozzi said he has championed designating Lynn a “Green Community” as a way to bring more funds into the city.
“If we get the designation, it’s an inital $500,000 of virtually unrestricted funds and then we could receive $250,000 for energy savings,” he said.
O’Shea said he sees the importance of cameras as a criminal defense attorney.
“When a crime is caught on tape, it’s likely to be a plea bargain,” he said. “But there’s no replacement for police. We have six cruisers protecting the city and that’s not enough.”
O’Toole encouraged the formation of Crime Watch in the neighborhoods, and more school programs to prevent drug abuse.
Starbard said the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce encourages businesses to point at least one of their cameras toward the street.
“That’s how the Marathon Bomber was caught,” he said.
On last spring’s rejection by voters of two middle schools, there was agreement more transparency was needed and meetings needed to be held in the evening so the public can attend.
Lynn Community Television will host a taped segment on Monday, Oct. 30 that will feature the two mayoral candidates, Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy and state Sen. Thomas M. McGee, from 8 to 9 p.m.
